When ICRC visits suspected terrorists, doesn’t this give them some special status?

15-11-2002 FAQ

No. ICRC is mandated by the international community to check the treatment and conditions of anyone detained in relation with armed violence, and to seek improvements where necessary. Such visits do not condone the actions or beliefs of those detained or confer any status on them.

Anyone convicted or accused of a crime is subject to - and protected by - the relevant provisions of the law. No-one can fall outside the reach of the law.

In the case of internal strife the status of the prisoners is determined by the relevant national authority. In the case of international armed conflicts their status is governed by the Geneva Conventions - which state that, should there be any doubt as to whether a detainee is a prisoner of war, a "competent tribunal" should decide.

More on this:Visiting people deprived of their freedom: legal safeguards- factsheet (August 2001)

The answers to FAQs on this site are intended as brief, informative summaries of what are often complex matters, and the terminology used has no legal significance.